NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Alex Laughlin fulfilled a lifelong dream last month, making his Top Fuel debut in Denver. It was the latest class for the Pro Stock and Pro Mod veteran, and Laughlin won’t have to wait long to get his second crack at an 11,000-hp, 330-mph nitro-breathing machine in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. He’ll make his second start in the class with Scott Palmer Racing at this weekend’s 32nd annual Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor at Heartland Motorsports Park.
 
It’s close to home for Palmer, who has been vital in Laughlin’s quick progress. The fan-favorite driver made a strong first impression in Denver, furthering the notion the former U.S. Nationals winner and four-time event champ is capable of driving just about anything. Handling the 11,000-hp Powerbuilt Tools dragster remains a huge challenge this early in Laughlin’s Top Fuel career, but he’s looking forward to getting back behind the wheel.
 
“The goal for this weekend is to make this feel more normal,” Laughlin said. “This came together really fast, but now we’ve been to a race and made some good runs. I’ve driven just about everything, but this is just so far beyond anything I’ve ever done. I’m really looking forward to this weekend, being able to get more laps and keep learning. That’s the first goal, and the second goal is: I want to turn on a win light. I’d love to be able to get that first-round win in Top Fuel.”
 
Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Robert Hight (Funny Car) won the most recent race in Topeka in 2019. This year, eliminations will be televised on FOX Sports 1 and FOX, including a broadcast of eliminations beginning at 3 p.m. ET on FOX. It is the 11th of 20 races during the 2021 NHRA campaign, with the stop at Heartland Motorsports Park kicking off the second half of the season.

 
Laughlin qualified well in Denver, making a 300-mph run in qualifying before falling in the first round of eliminations. He’ll have his work cut out for him in Topeka, facing off against a star-studded Top Fuel class led by reigning event winner and three-time defending world champ Torrence, who has six wins in 2021. Other names to watch include Pomona winner Leah Pruett, Brittany Force, Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta, Clay Millican, Justin Ashley, and Shawn Langdon. Laughlin, though, has praised the work of Palmer for taking him under his wing and helping this Top Fuel dream come to life.
 
“Scott has been unbelievable,” Laughlin said. “He’s been extremely accommodating, helping me get my license and all that. There’s been so many moving parts, but being part of something where you can get that help, it’s really refreshing. It helps me focus on driving the car. When you can’t do that, it can really affect you. Scott helped give me a lot of confidence, even more than I had in myself. He knew I could handle this, and that really gave me a lot of confidence.”

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 7:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 13, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 14 at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 15. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at noon ET on Saturday and then eliminations action at 3 p.m. on FOX on Sunday. 
  
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with a paid adult.